Staple puller



April 28, 1931. -A VRANA 1,802,687

S TAPLE FULLER Filed Dec. 5, 1928 avmbcutoz AJi/T an a l atentecl Apr. 28, 1931 UNITED STATE.

ANTON J. VRANA, OF EDI-IOLM, NEBRASKA STAPLE FULLER Application filed December 3, 1928; Serial No. 323,357.

This invention relates to tools and more particularly to a tool by means of which staples may be extracted from fence posts and the like into which they have been driven.

One object of the invention is to provide a staple puller which is so constructed that a spur formed at the free end of its operating head may be very easily driven through a staple to be extracted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a staple puller with an operating head carrying the staple-engaging spur at its free forward end and so shaped that, when the spur is engaged with a staple, the tool may be very easily rocked upon its head and thereby cause the staple to be extracted.

Another object of the invention is to limit the extent to which the spur may be forced through a staple and thereby insure proper position of the extractor relative to the staple when the extractor is moved to withdraw the staple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character formed as a unit and consisting of a strip of strong metal which will not be liable to be broken or bent out of shape when used.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the improved staple puller in use, and

Fig. 2 is a view showing the improved staple puller in side elevation.

The improved staple puller is formed of strong metal and may be stamped from metal sheets or strips of appropriate thickness or may be formed from elongated bars or strips which are bent to assume the desired shape. The handle 1 of the staple puller may be any length desired and is straight throughout its length. It may be of substantially the same width throughout its length or it may taper towards its rear end and may also have its corners rounded so that it may be firmly grasped by the operator without cutting into his hands. The head 2 at the forward end of the handle is formed integral therewith and this head curves longitudinally and is of an arcuate construction. Therefore, the inner edge 3 of thehead is of a concaved formation and theouter edge 4 convexed and the outer edge face Wlll constitute a cam surIace upon which the puller may be rocked when extracting a staple. .The head tapers towards its free forward end and terminates in a spur 5 and the inner edge face of the spuris offset with respect to the inner edge face 3 of the head in order to form a shoulder 6 adapted to engage with a staple through which the spur is passed and limit movement of the spur through the staple, as shown in Fig. 1. It should be noted that the spur extends straight from the shoulder, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, so that the spur may very easily force its way through a staple when the point of the spur is engaged between the bridge of the staple and a fence post into which the staple is embedded and blows are struck against the outer edge face 4 of the head by a hammer or other suitable driving tool.

When the staple puller is in use, the handle is grasped in one hand and the end of the spur engaged beneath the bridge of the staple as far as possible. The edge face l of the head is struck with a hammer until the spur has been driven through the staple and the staple bears against the shoulder 6. The device is now in proper extracting engagement with the staple and it is merely necessary to, apply pressure to the handle in order to rock the head upon its outer edge surface and thereby cause the spur to be swung away from the post and extract the staple. Since the spur can only be driven through the staple until the shoulder engages with the staple, there will be no danger of the staple being broken or unduly distorted and this also causes the staple to be disposed in such relav tion to the head of the extractor that the extractor may be very easily rocked and withdraw the' staple. In view of the fact that the staple puller is formed as a unit from strong metal, it will be very strong and not liable to be easily bent or broken when used. It should also be noted that since the spur extends through the staple and bears against its bridge the staple will be extracted in such condition that itmay again be used and also when extracted it will be suspended upon the shoulder 6 and not drop upon the ground where it is liable to be lost. 7

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A staple puller comprising a flat bar having'one end portion curved rearwardly and then forwardly to form ahandle and a head at the forward end thereof projecting forwardly beyond the handle and tapered toward its front end and having curved upper and lower edge faces eccentric to each other, the forward free end of the head being reduced from its upper face to form a prong adapted to be passed through a staple and having a fiat upper face and a shoulder extending upwardly from the inner end of the flat upper face of the prong located at the front end of the curved upper edge face of the head and adapted to limit forward movement of the prong through the staple.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' ANTON J. VRANA. [L.s.] 

